Jody sat down on Carmen's bed, chewing her lip thoughtfully. She couldn't believe she'd actually managed to escape; that stuff with Kingsley had made her think she was trapped with the family she couldn't help but hate.

Actually, that wasn't right. She loved Luke and her mum, it was just Kingsley she hated. Tyler and Carmen had come to rescue her, though. She was glad they'd come. Carmen was her best friend. And Tyler…

Well, she didn't know what he was. She didn't understand the feelings she felt. They weren't friendship feelings. She always felt butterflies when she hugged him or if he touched her, and she was always listening whenever somebody said Tyler's name. Plus, she was always angry when somebody hurt him.

Then Jody remembered…she'd been talking to Carmen about crushes…

"What's it like, having a crush?" Jody asked.

"Well…you get mad when that person gets upset and…when you touch them or they touch you, you feel really weird…also…um…oh right…when you hear their name, you're always listening. And you always feel like you need to stick up for them, even if sometimes you don't." Carmen said.

"Is that how you feel about Rick?" Jody asked.

"Yeah." Carmen said with a sigh.

So Jody…had a crush on Tyler?

But, the thought didn't seem weird to her…it was completely natural, in her mind. But telling Tyler would be impossible.

So Jody guessed she'd just have to keep it to herself.

"Are you okay, Jody?" Carmen asked, sitting beside her friend.

"…Remember that time where you told me what crushes were?" Jody asked.

"Yeah." Carmen said, nodding.

"I…think I have a crush…"

Carmen chuckled. "I know you have, Jody. On Tyler." She said.

Jody stared at her friend, shocked. "How did you know?"

"It was a bit obvious…but that's only because I know what people act like when they have crushes." Carmen explained. "Does he know?" she asked.

Jody shook her head. The 11 year old was pretty confused.

"Want me to speak to him about it?" Carmen asked.

Jody thought about it, before she nodded. Carmen smiled and left.

About 10 minutes later, Tyler appeared. Jody jumped slightly, her butterflies in her stomach seeming to get wilder at the sight of him.

"Really?" he asked quietly.

Jody knew what he was getting at, and she nodded silently.

Tyler sat beside her and hugged her. "Me, too." He said.

"Really?" it was Jody's turn to ask.

"Yeah." Tyler said.

And for once, just once, Jody felt like she'd found a home where she was right now.